Some Rules for Interpreting Prophecy

Transcription

1 Some Rules for Interpreting Prophecy Symbols are symbols Don t mix literal and symbolic interpretations Numbers ending in 0 are probably symbolic Occam s Razor: one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything. (When faced with options, the simplest is probably the right one.) When a prophet tells you when it will happen, believe him

2 Pre- Post- Millennialism A-

3 Source:

4 History In some form since early church Many church fathers were amillennialists (Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Augustine) Some held a form of millennialism (Justin Martyr, Papias, others) Dispensational Premillennialism (a modern idea) 19 th Century (John Nelson Darby, William Miller, Ellen G. White) The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey Left Behind by Tim LaHaye

5 The Rapture From rapturo (L.), translation of arpagesometha (caught up) (1 Thes 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, 1,000 years?? (Grammar demands no break in time here.) And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

6 The Rapture Does the rapture give people a second chance? What is the value of the Rapture? All faithful will be taken to heaven Then how will those left behind come to faith? How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14) If nobody can be saved during this time, why not judge all when Jesus comes this time?

7 The Tribulation From Daniel s 70 weeks prophecy. (Dan 9) 7 Weeks 62 Weeks 1 Week Why would God stop the clock without explanation? For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:21 Then in Matthew 24 refers to destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD Revelation looks back on tribulation (Rev 7:14)??

8 The Antichrist Supposed to rule world during tribulation The antichrist never appears in the Bible The term antichrist never appears in the Revelation John the only person to use the term 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7 If he appears in the Revelation, why does John not use the term?

9 The Thousand Year Reign Rev 20:4--And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

10 The Thousand Year Reign Jesus reign not limited to 1,000 years; only talks about reign of saints No mention of reign on earth; those reigning were dead Jesus demoted himself once; why would he need to do it again? Rules of prophecy Numbers ending in 0 are probably symbolic Don t mix literal and symbolic interpretations

11 Armageddon There have been 34 battles of Armageddon (Megiddo) Jdg 4, 5, 6-7; 1 Sam 31; 1 Kings 14; 2 Kings 9, 23 Nine since 1900 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Rev 16:14, 16) No mention of battle at Armageddon If a battle, it is symbolic; spiritual warfare. Note change in person (they/he). Who gathered? God did? Why would he gather them to battle against him?

12 Errors of Dispensational Premillennialists Literalizing the figurative; if the context is symbolic everything is symbolic Mixing literary types; don t interpret poetry or prophecy like history Complicating the simple

13 Errors of Dispensational Premillennialists Ignoring the prophet s time frame Must shortly come to pass (Rev 1:1) The time is at hand (Rev 1:3) Must shortly be done (Rev 22:6) Seal not for the time is at hand (Rev 22:10) (Compare with Daniel 12:9) Surely I come quickly (Rev 22:20) The entire book of the Revelation has been fulfilled. The basis of this doctrine has been removed.